"UP" or not up?

To figure out the right answer, we first need to understand what these two choices mean in the game. "UP" means survival, transformation, and staying alive. It's all about action and fighting through the dark industrial world of How Fish is Made. The choice between "UP" and not up isn’t just about direction; it’s about whether you do something or give up—life vs death.

"UP" is a journey of pushing through the tough stuff. The game throws obstacles like pollution, machines, and predators at you, and moving "UP" is the only way to survive. Going up needs skill, quick thinking, and strategy, just like real life when you face problems and try to grow. The game makes it clear that "UP" is about taking action, while not up is just giving up.

The visual design helps tell the story too. When you’re going "UP," the world around you is full of colors and movement, while not up is dull, still, and decaying. The game’s design isn’t just showing direction—it’s saying that "UP" is neseccary if you want to keep going.

The deeper message is that life isn’t about surrendering. Choosing "UP" means taking control and rising above the obstacles. This is a common theme in games, where fighting against the odds is the key to progress. How Fish is Made uses "UP" to represent growth, resilience, and pushing against decay.

Understanding what "UP" really means shows why its the better choice. The whole game is designed to make you fight for something better, not just accept defeat.

The game’s focus on "UP" makes sense when you look at marine biology. Fish naturally swim up when they’re in danger, to get oxygen, escape predators, and survive. For example, salmon swim upstream to spawn, showing that moving "UP" is an instinct for survival.

The game mirrors this by putting obstacles in the way that require you to go up. Whether it's predators or pollution, moving "UP" is the safest way to stay alive. In nature, fish that swim up have a better chance of survival, so it makes sense for the game to make "UP" the safer choice.

Fish are also drawn to light, a phenomenon known as "positive phototaxis." Light often means safety or food, so fish naturally swim toward it. In the game, moving "UP" often brings you to brighter, more colorful areas, just like fish moving toward light. This design ties the gameplay to real-world fish behavior.

The environmental messages in the game also highlight real-world issues like pollution. Players see polluted waters and waste, echoing real-life environmental problems. Choosing "UP" in the game is like rising above these destructive forces, making a statement against pollution.

From a biological standpoint, the game’s focus on "UP" fits with fish’s natural instincts. It’s the logical, survival-based choice, both in-game and in real life.

The devs behind How Fish is Made didn’t just study marine biology—they also drew from Swedish culture. Sweden has a strong history of environmental care and sustainability, and that’s shown in the game’s themes.

The game has moments that reflect real-world environmental problems, like a fish trapped in a discarded beer six-pack. This is a clear reference to plastic pollution, a big issue in Sweden, known for its recycling programs and efforts to reduce waste. Choosing "UP" in the game is about rejecting the mess humans have created.

The devs also sprinkle in Swedish proverbs and cultural values throughout. Phrases like "Stå på dig!" (meaning "Stand your ground!") or "Tillsammans är vi starka!" (which means "Together we are strong!") promote unity and resilience. These values tie into the idea that choosing "UP" isn’t just for yourself—it’s for the greater good. Swedish culture is all about working together to solve problems, so "UP" becomes a reflection of that mindset.

The community aspect in the game also ties back to Swedish values. The fish in the game help each other overcome obstacles, showing that choosing "UP" is about more than just one fish. It’s about working together for a better future. In Sweden, collaboration is key to tackling societal and environmental issues, so "UP" aligns with those values.

By combining marine biology and Swedish cultural ideas, the game shows that "UP" isn’t just a choice for survival—it’s a choice for growth and resilience, reflecting both nature and culture.

The environmental design of How Fish is Made gives you clear signals that "UP" is the right choice. If you look closely at the colors, it’s obvious the devs are leading you toward "UP." "UP" is shown with vibrant reds, while not up is tied to dull blues. These colors aren’t random—red is connected to life, energy, and action, making you feel urgency. Blue, on the other hand, is linked to stillness and even death, suggesting stagnation. The devs use red to make "UP" feel alive.

The gameplay also pushes you toward "UP." You’ll frequently face obstacles that require you to go upwards, showing that success often depends on rising above challenges. Each move "UP" brings you closer to new, better environments, making it clear that striving for "UP" is about growth. This mirrors the real-world idea that overcoming obstacles leads to development.

One powerful moment showing what happens if you don’t go "UP" is when you enter a room full of rotting guts. You have to carefully move around the edges, a reminder that "not up" means decay and death. This grim setting shows that choosing not up is choosing death, reinforcing the idea that "UP" is the better path.

The sound design is also important. When you go "UP," the sound shifts to uplifting melodies, giving you an emotional push to keep going. But when you choose not up, the sounds get dull and muffled, giving a feeling of hopelessness. These sound cues make it clear that the game rewards you for moving upward and punishes you for staying still.

In all, the game’s design—through color, gameplay, and sound—makes "UP" the obvious, necessary choice. It’s not just about moving in a direction; it’s about survival and transformation.

Throughout the game diff fish characters share their thoughts on whether to go "UP" or not up. Some fishy argue for other paths, but the arched-back fish stands out, passionately shouting, "The water has it wrong! The flesh has it wrong! Everything goes UP UP UP in the end!" This fish’s energy and urgency make it clear that it understands the game’s deeper meaning, pushing hard for "UP."

The way this fish is designed adds weight to its message. Unlike other fish, whose motivations might be unclear or self-serving, the arched-back fish shows a real desperation to escape its grim situation. Its behavior and strong words make it the focal point of the game, representing the devs’ message of resilience and the need for "UP."

The repeated "UP UP UP" also connects to Swedish culture. In Swedish folklore, repetition means truth. The fish’s insistence on "UP" isn’t random; it’s like the game is telling you, "This is the truth, and you need to listen."

The fish often appears in places full of decay, contrasting with the bright environments tied to "UP." This difference makes it clear that choosing not up means choosing death, while choosing "UP" is about reaching for something better.

The arched-back fish becomes a critical voice in the game, urging players to reconsider their choices. Its passionate message makes "UP" the right decision—because it aligns with survival, hope, and transformation.

I've heard them all. Lets go:

Argument 1: Not up Offers a Clear, Final Ending
Some might choose not up because it offers a definite conclusion. The fish becomes part of a dish, which feels like an easy way out of the chaos. It might seem like the better option because it gives closure.

Counterpoint: While not up might seem like an easy finish, it’s a passive choice. The fish becomes something beyond its control—consumed and forgotten. Choosing "UP," on the other hand, keeps the story open. It means the journey isn’t over; it’s about transformation and survival. The game’s design encourages players to engage with challenges rather than passively accept an ending.

Argument 2: Not up is the Easier, Less Painful Option
The world in How Fish is Made is grim, and not going "UP" might seem like an escape from suffering. It could feel like the easier option for avoiding the constant struggle.

Counterpoint: Although not up might seem easier, it’s about giving up. Choosing not up means accepting death and decay. The game shows that those who go not up lose control of their fate, while those who choose "UP" fight for a chance to change their situation. "UP" may be harder, but it’s about resisting complacency and fighting for a future, no matter how uncertain.

Argument 3: Not up Fits the Game’s Bleak Tone
Some players might argue that not up matches the game’s dark atmosphere. With all the industrial decay and struggle, a pessimistic choice like not up feels like it fits.

Counterpoint: Just because the world is bleak doesn’t mean the message is about surrendering to that bleakness. Choosing "UP" is about facing the darkness and still deciding to rise above it. The bleak world makes the choice of "UP" even more powerful—it’s about rejecting decay and reaching for something better, even if it’s uncertain.

So when you look at everything, it’s clear that How Fish is Made pushes players to choose "UP." From the marine biology inspiration to the environmental design and Swedish cultural influences, the game is built around the idea that "UP" is the right choice. "UP" represents survival, agency, and transformation, while not up means giving in to passivity, death, and decay.

The game makes it clear that choosing not up leads to death, while "UP" gives you the chance to fight for something better. Even if the ending is uncertain, "UP" symbolizes a chance for growth and change. It’s not about taking the easy way out—it’s about choosing resilience, hope, and the potential for a brighter future.

In the end, choosing "UP" isn’t just about completing the game. It’s about embracing life’s challenges and striving for something more, something beyond the darkness and decay. "UP" is the correct answer, because it represents everything the developers want the players to take away from the game: survival, ambition, and hope. Thanks